silent poison
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Col Ramesh Davesar (retd)
Let us for a moment set aside the politico-religious aspects and purely focus on the socio-economic aspirations of Muslims. Due to various factors, Muslims are devoid of requisite employment opportunities. This needs to be addressed on priority.
An Army career can serve as a morale booster.
In the backdrop of the socio-political scenario and to counter developments to destabilise the communal equilibrium for myopic interests, one finds that so-called “minority-welfare initiatives” launched are counter-productive. The net result is, let alone improve the socio-economic status of Muslims, it has made them easy prey to politicians and, to some extent, also to the fundamentalists.
Explore job opportunities for approximately the 10 crore Muslim youth not only to enhance their mainstream presence but also keep them away from being exploited by vested lobbies is a crucial issue. I often wonder, while all other employment avenues are discussed, why are the armed forces, which provide equitable opportunities to all sections, are ignored and not promoted amongst the Muslim youth by their own leaders? The result is that the representation of Muslims in the armed forces is woefully low. Therefore, we need to discuss the genesis of poor representation and explore the remedial measures to facilitate their entry into the armed forces. This would assist in mitigating their socio-economic inequalities and incentivise their participation in nation building. Before proceeding further, it is imperative to understand the recruitment modalities. After Independence, keeping in mind our multi-ethnic society, and in order to provide equal opportunity to all citizens (particularly the under-represented sections), in 1949, the erstwhile British legacy of “Fixed Class Composition” was replaced with the indigenised policy of “All India All Class Composition,” thus implying that the units would have “mixed class culture”. In order to ensure equality to all, it was further streamlined during the 1970s, whereby the states were allotted the recruitment quota based on their “Recruitable Male Population” (RMP).
To sum up, the current procedure provides equal opportunities to all Indian subjects, irrespective of religious affiliations. Thus it makes it all the more incumbent on Muslims to explore a military career. It is prudent to highlight the contributions of Muslims in the armed forces. A majority of us, including Muslims themselves, are unaware of their sacrifice in defending the nation, which irrespective of numbers, has been on a par with others. Brigadier Usman and his brother Brigadier Gufran, in spite of professional luring from Pakistan, chose to stay back with the Indian Army. The former, known as “Saviour of Jhangar” laid down his life and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC). Later, Havaldar Abdul Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) in the 1965 war. His martyrdom is an embodiment of a supreme sacrifice for the nation. Contributions in military hierarchy have been equally commendable. So far, we have had one Air Chief, two Army Commanders and a host of two and three-star generals. Brigadier Sharif, known for his administrative skills, was picked up to to set up the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
They have carved out an indelible niche in academics and defence research. The present Vice Chancellor of Aligarh University is a retired three-star general. A leading defence analyst is also an Army veteran and a retired Lt-General commendably commanded the Corps in the Valley and is a voracious writer on security matters. Iconic sacrifices and services must be utilised by Muslims to motivate their youth to join the armed forces.
Why should Muslims, with a 14.3 per cent population share, just account for 2 per cent in the armed forces. In striking contrast, despite mass-scale immigration and attractive employment options, the Sikhs, another minority with a paltry 1.72 per cent population share, have 15 and 20 per cent share in other ranks and officers' categories, respectively. Similarly, the Christians, with 2.3 per cent population share, have matching representation in the armed forces. Of late, there is welcome increase of Muslims' intake in the civil services and the IPS by over 3 per cent and is presently pegged at 3.31 and 3.66 per cent, respectively. Similarly, there is a perceptible increase in the states' police and the Central Armed Police Forces. Why has the option for the armed forces been stagnant?
Primarily, it is parents, society and academics who play important role in shaping and motivating the youth to select a career. All Punjabis, (including those in West Punjab) in general and Sikhs in particular, have imbibed family and community support, motivation by the educational and religious institutions to channel youth to opt for a military career. Rightly so, the Punjabis not only enjoy a sizeable presence in India but also dominate the military in Pakistan. As a Punjabi, I vividly recall my formative years and the preaching of elders highlighting the nobility of an Army career during various social, family and the religious congregations calling upon youth to join the armed forces. With great pain, one finds these aspects are inexplicably missing amongst Muslims. Apart from the national effort, which undoubtedly must speed up, it is the “in-house” initiatives which must provide initial grooming and motivation. First of all, the parents, who, by citing the contributions made by their community both during the pre and post-Independence epoch, must encourage and motivate their wards to choose an Army career. Educational institutions, most importantly the “community-run” institutions must take over to further channel the youth towards a military career.
In order to achieve the desired recruitment trajectory, Muslim military veterans must get together to plan long-term strategy and organise seminars, workshops and conduct lectures as also hold “Defence Exhibitions” to motivate youth at school, college and university levels.
Further, to promote “inclusive community participation”, the services of Muslim political as well as religious leaders who are looked up to and heeded with reverence must be solicited. Their influence on the youth must be utilised to shed diffidence and opt for a career in the Army.
- See more at: http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/ne...armed-forces/187583.html#sthash.UyWzxmln.dpuf
Let us for a moment set aside the politico-religious aspects and purely focus on the socio-economic aspirations of Muslims. Due to various factors, Muslims are devoid of requisite employment opportunities. This needs to be addressed on priority.
In the backdrop of the socio-political scenario and to counter developments to destabilise the communal equilibrium for myopic interests, one finds that so-called “minority-welfare initiatives” launched are counter-productive. The net result is, let alone improve the socio-economic status of Muslims, it has made them easy prey to politicians and, to some extent, also to the fundamentalists.
Explore job opportunities for approximately the 10 crore Muslim youth not only to enhance their mainstream presence but also keep them away from being exploited by vested lobbies is a crucial issue. I often wonder, while all other employment avenues are discussed, why are the armed forces, which provide equitable opportunities to all sections, are ignored and not promoted amongst the Muslim youth by their own leaders? The result is that the representation of Muslims in the armed forces is woefully low. Therefore, we need to discuss the genesis of poor representation and explore the remedial measures to facilitate their entry into the armed forces. This would assist in mitigating their socio-economic inequalities and incentivise their participation in nation building. Before proceeding further, it is imperative to understand the recruitment modalities. After Independence, keeping in mind our multi-ethnic society, and in order to provide equal opportunity to all citizens (particularly the under-represented sections), in 1949, the erstwhile British legacy of “Fixed Class Composition” was replaced with the indigenised policy of “All India All Class Composition,” thus implying that the units would have “mixed class culture”. In order to ensure equality to all, it was further streamlined during the 1970s, whereby the states were allotted the recruitment quota based on their “Recruitable Male Population” (RMP).
To sum up, the current procedure provides equal opportunities to all Indian subjects, irrespective of religious affiliations. Thus it makes it all the more incumbent on Muslims to explore a military career. It is prudent to highlight the contributions of Muslims in the armed forces. A majority of us, including Muslims themselves, are unaware of their sacrifice in defending the nation, which irrespective of numbers, has been on a par with others. Brigadier Usman and his brother Brigadier Gufran, in spite of professional luring from Pakistan, chose to stay back with the Indian Army. The former, known as “Saviour of Jhangar” laid down his life and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC). Later, Havaldar Abdul Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) in the 1965 war. His martyrdom is an embodiment of a supreme sacrifice for the nation. Contributions in military hierarchy have been equally commendable. So far, we have had one Air Chief, two Army Commanders and a host of two and three-star generals. Brigadier Sharif, known for his administrative skills, was picked up to to set up the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
They have carved out an indelible niche in academics and defence research. The present Vice Chancellor of Aligarh University is a retired three-star general. A leading defence analyst is also an Army veteran and a retired Lt-General commendably commanded the Corps in the Valley and is a voracious writer on security matters. Iconic sacrifices and services must be utilised by Muslims to motivate their youth to join the armed forces.
Why should Muslims, with a 14.3 per cent population share, just account for 2 per cent in the armed forces. In striking contrast, despite mass-scale immigration and attractive employment options, the Sikhs, another minority with a paltry 1.72 per cent population share, have 15 and 20 per cent share in other ranks and officers' categories, respectively. Similarly, the Christians, with 2.3 per cent population share, have matching representation in the armed forces. Of late, there is welcome increase of Muslims' intake in the civil services and the IPS by over 3 per cent and is presently pegged at 3.31 and 3.66 per cent, respectively. Similarly, there is a perceptible increase in the states' police and the Central Armed Police Forces. Why has the option for the armed forces been stagnant?
Primarily, it is parents, society and academics who play important role in shaping and motivating the youth to select a career. All Punjabis, (including those in West Punjab) in general and Sikhs in particular, have imbibed family and community support, motivation by the educational and religious institutions to channel youth to opt for a military career. Rightly so, the Punjabis not only enjoy a sizeable presence in India but also dominate the military in Pakistan. As a Punjabi, I vividly recall my formative years and the preaching of elders highlighting the nobility of an Army career during various social, family and the religious congregations calling upon youth to join the armed forces. With great pain, one finds these aspects are inexplicably missing amongst Muslims. Apart from the national effort, which undoubtedly must speed up, it is the “in-house” initiatives which must provide initial grooming and motivation. First of all, the parents, who, by citing the contributions made by their community both during the pre and post-Independence epoch, must encourage and motivate their wards to choose an Army career. Educational institutions, most importantly the “community-run” institutions must take over to further channel the youth towards a military career.
In order to achieve the desired recruitment trajectory, Muslim military veterans must get together to plan long-term strategy and organise seminars, workshops and conduct lectures as also hold “Defence Exhibitions” to motivate youth at school, college and university levels.
Further, to promote “inclusive community participation”, the services of Muslim political as well as religious leaders who are looked up to and heeded with reverence must be solicited. Their influence on the youth must be utilised to shed diffidence and opt for a career in the Army.
- See more at: http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/ne...armed-forces/187583.html#sthash.UyWzxmln.dpuf
